“There’s no way known (Tamou) should be playing for the Cowboys for a while and there’s no way known he should be representing New South Wales in State of Origin game two,” Sterling told Triple M Radio on Tuesday.

Sterling said Tamou must be stood down from duties with his club and have the book thrown at him after it was alleged Tamou was caught almost four times over the legal limit.

“He’s got to be stood down for a long time,” Sterling said.

“Don’t forget he was unlicensed as well - absolutely no sympathy whatsoever. I like James Tamou but he has brought the game into disrepute.

Tamou was dealt a one-match ban in 2011 after breaking team alcohol rules and, while club coach Neil Henry confirmed the Cowboys are compiling a report on the incident to the NRL's integrity unit, he named the prop for Friday’s match against St George Illawarra.

Henry may still stand Tamou down from the match, but is yet to make a decision.

“It's a different incident (to 2011) and he hasn't had any problems in between,” Henry said on Tuesday.

"He is very remorseful about it (drink driving) but we will have a discussion about whether it warrants missing out on football."

The 24-year-old will appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on July 2, just six days after Origin II, with Sterling comparing the Tamou situation to assault allegations made against South Sydney and Queensland Origin star Ben Te’o.

The difference, according to Sterlo, is that Tamou has admitted his guilt.

“I said if (Te’o) is found guilty throw the book at him,” said Sterling.

“We know James Tamou is guilty because he hasn’t contested the charge – you throw the book at him.”

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